Cannons Announce 12-Man Protected Roster

October 12, 2011 - BOSTON, MA - The Boston Cannons of Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the premier professional outdoor lacrosse league, today announced their 12-man expansion protected roster for the 2012 MLL season, according to Cannons General Manager Kevin Barney. This is the second of two protected lists following the 2011 season, culling the list of 23 players protected in September.

The players not protected can be drafted in the 2012 MLL Expansion Draft, taking place on December 7 as the Charlotte Hounds and Ohio Machine begin compiling their rosters. After the first three unprotected Boston players are drafted, the Cannons can bring one player back. Thereafter, for each Boston player taken by the Hounds or Machine the Cannons can take one back as well.

"Cutting the 23-man list by almost half was an extremely difficult task," said Barney. "Especially coming off our first Steinfeld Trophy win, ideally we would have liked to keep the Championship roster intact. After careful consideration, we've protected the 12 players we believe are the strongest to build the 2012 team around and will give us the best chance to repeat."

Shortly prior to the announcement of the protected rosters, the Cannons traded defenseman John Lade to the Rochester Rattlers for the 19th overall selection in the 2012 Collegiate Draft. In addition, the Cannons acquired the 11th overall selection in the Expansion Draft and the 15th overall selection in the 2012 Collegiate Draft from the Ohio Machine for the 8th overall selection in the 2012 Collegiate Draft.

"We made two moves late last night, which put us in the Expansion Draft to get a quality player from another team or select one of our own unprotected players," said Barney. "We also now have the 15th, 16th and 19th overall selections in the 2012 Collegiate Draft to continue to build our team for the future."

"To protect 12 players rather than 10, which made the most sense to retain the core of our team, we could only keep one goalie, so we made the tough choice to risk losing one of the best goalies in the league in Kip," continued Barney. "Obviously, Max and Kyle were also key components of our team for the past few seasons, especially during the Championship run, and ideally they'll stay in a Cannons uniform. But due to the uncertainty of their future playing careers in the league, we had to use the 12 roster spots for players we know are one hundred percent committed, especially with the extended season and increased competition with the expansion."

At the conclusion of the 15-round Expansion Draft, any Boston players not selected can be reclaimed and added back to the Cannons roster.

BOSTON CANNONS 12-MAN PROTECTED LIST

Belisle, Mitch -- Defense

Boyle, Ryan -- Attack

Buchanan, Kevin -- Midfield

Burke, Jordan -- Goalie

Eck, Chris -- Face-Off/Midfield

Farrell, Brian -- Defense

Heim, Pat -- Midfield

Poskay, Matt -- Attack

Rabil, Paul -- Midfield

Ricci, PT -- Defense

Ross, Brad -- Midfield

Smalley, Matt - Midfield

BOSTON CANNONS UNPROTECTED PLAYERS

Josh Amidon - Midfield

Shamel Bratton - Midfield

Greg Downing - Midfield

JJ Morrissey - Midfield

John Ortolani - Midfield/FO

Max Quinzani - Attack

Jack Reid - Defense

Mike Stone - Midfield

Kyle Sweeney - Defense

Kip Turner - Goalie

10/12/11 TRADES

Boston sends defenseman John Lade to Rochester for the 19th overall pick in the 2012 Collegiate Draft

Boston sends the 8th overall pick in the 2012 Collegiate Draft to the Ohio Machine for the 15th overall pick in the 2012 Collegiate Draft and the 11th overall pick in the December 7th Expansion Draft.

About the Boston Cannons

The Boston Cannons are one of the founding franchises of Major League Lacrosse, the premier professional outdoor lacrosse league. They began play in June of 2001 and currently host home games at Harvard Stadium in Allston. They won their first MLL Championship on August 28, 2011. Season tickets for the 2012 season are now on sale starting at only $84 for seven Cannons home games. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 617.746.9933 or visit www.BostonCannons.com.